A masterclass performance was needed for the United States to overcome a 17 point deficit in the fourth quarter against Nikola Jokic and Serbia. The United States found this performance from Steph Curry who had 36 points on 12-19 shooting and 9-14 from beyond the arc in a game that was dominated by Serbia’s three point shooting throughout the first three quarters of this contest. Curry’s vintage scoring performance fueled the 39 year old LeBron James to a 16 point, 12 rebound, and 10 assist triple-double while Joel Embiid caught fire in the fourth quarter on both ends of the floor to finish with 19 points on 8-11 shooting. The 95-91 win over Serbia keeps the US’s hopes of winning five straight gold medals alive and will now face France in the gold medal match on Saturday at 3:30 PM EST.
On a heater. 17 pts in Q1 for the greatest shooter of all time.
— USA Basketball (@usabasketball) August 8, 2024
📺 USA Network + Peacock
🇺🇸 #USABMNT #Paris2024 #Basketball pic.twitter.com/nii7HWjHmr
The Serbians gave the United States a major run for their money after putting on a three point shooting clinic in the first half that would have been impossible to match if Curry did not catch fire early in the first quarter, which kept the Americans within striking distance. Nikola Jokic finished with 17 points, 11 assists, and five rebounds in a loss that will be remembered as the game that got away from Serbia. Bogdan Bogdanovic showed why he is an NBA player after leading Serbia in scoring with 20 points on 8-18 shooting, continually being a pain in the US’s side. The biggest factor for Serbia was their efficient three point shooting in the first half where they shot almost 53% and continued to answer any resistance that the US had. The hot shooting cooled off for Serbia down the stretch as the United States outscored Serbia 32-15 in the fourth and Serbia finished the game 46% from the field and 38% from three. The Serbians have had a memorable and honorable Olympic Games and will face a solid German squad in the bronze medal match on Saturday at 5 AM EST.
STEPH CURRY LEADS TEAM USA TO A HUGE COMEBACK WIN OVER SERBIA 🪣
— ESPN (@espn) August 8, 2024
USA advances to the gold medal game against France 🥇 pic.twitter.com/RUEPt2YGVM
The United States has one more game to complete the feat of winning five straight gold medals and will have another tough test dealing with 2023 first overall pick Victor Wembanyama and Nicolas Batum in the gold medal match. France had somewhat of a slow start in their group stage games after losing to Germany by double digits but quickly got their revenge on Thursday after beating Germany 73-69 behind a complete team effort from their starting five. The French will have their hands full against a loaded USA team but if the French can take a page out of Serbia’s book it will shoot the three well early and often if they want a chance of tasting gold in their home Games.
